Yields went up, but biotech not necessarily the answer

[Jim Meade / Iowa City]

Here is an interesting study that shows that for seven crops that used biotechnology, yields increased from the pre-bio era.  Other Bio-tech crops did not get ayield increase.

The big winner was cotton.  Corn and soybeans both showed some increase in yield over the previous trend line, but it is pretty small.  The study concludes that bio tech might be an explanation for the yield increase but it is not proven to be the reason for the increase.

http://www.farmdocdaily.illinois.edu/2011/12/biotechnology_and_us_crop_yiel.html

[highyields]

My best corn I ever raised was just corn, no BT, no herbicide toloerance, I haven't been able to duplicate that yield in the past 7 years.    Now I can't get nothing but GMO corn from my supplier   I dont' think its worth the money my self.  

[hardnox604008]

In my mind there had to be some boost from weed control becoming almost flawless although once you're there, you've got all you're going to get from that particular factor.

And of course you still have to stay ahead of resistance, etc.

For me, I think the yield monitor had a big impact as I could no longer delude myself into believing that that little patch of winter annuals or horseweeds, or that little wet spot didn't have an economic impact on yields.

Again, pretty much a one time thing once you fix them.

[highyields]

I just went through my crop insurance yields and my aveage yield on corn was the same or slightly better BEFORE GMO, I need to call my seed dealer.    Course I been having some pH issue the last few years, not for sure why that would show up all of the sudden.  

[old man]

It seems that our top yields have not gone up, but our averages have. There are other advantages besides yields.

We are big believers in bioteck as our standability has improved dramatically. We can let corn dry longer in the field and do not need to dry as much.

Soybeans are weed free. The old hoe is getting rusty. It has made life easier and more fun

[SWK]

Weed and Insect control does seem to be a lot easier with GMO's, but we also struggle to see any genetic yield increase over our non GMO fields.

[ZR2]

that is interesting. My best crop I have ever raised was last year and was VT3 the whole way. Conventional non traited corn beside it was 40 bushel less on corn.

GMO's have definetly improved the bottom line around here. Fight a lot of corn rootworm especially on rotated/first year corn.